Today seemed to be an engagement banquet for some celebrity or dignitary. The scene was grand, with several luxury cars parked outside the hotel. Young ladies and gentlemen from prominent families alighted one after another, creating a visual feast of opulence and extravagance.
Entry required an invitation, but the attendant at the door seemed to recognize Yao Yifan. After a brief glance at Song Xi, he immediately bowed and respectfully gestured for them to enter.
Yao Yifan led Song Xi into the banquet and said, "Miss Song, the gentleman will arrive shortly. I will be nearby. Please call if you need anything."
"Thank you."
Song Xi was dressed stunningly today, her sapphire necklace exuding an air of nobility.
After politely declining invitations from numerous gentlemen who approached her, she began to feel awkward.
She sensed the gazes upon her intensifying. Just then, her phone rang.
With a sigh of relief, she took out her phone. It was a message from Ye Tian.
Ye Tian: [Master Ye, after a day's hard work, I can finally rest (crying with laughter)]
Song Xi: [Is tonight's shoot finished?]
Ye Tian: [Finished. I'm heading back. Oh, sis, about that director's assistant, Xiao Qian, you mentioned last time, I asked.]
Song Xi: [! What did you find out]
After she sent the message, Ye Tian's side seemed to go offline.
Song Xi frowned. Why did he disappear mid-conversation!
At that moment, a black Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of Ye Tian.
His phone was snatched away without warning. Ye Tian looked up in surprise, his face instantly paling as he met the man's sharp gaze.
"Sec... Second Brother!"
The man had rugged features and a stern expression. He stared at Ye Tian's timid and cowardly demeanor and sneered, "You still know to call me Second Brother. After so long, you're still so meek. You're a disgrace to the Ye family!"
Ye Tian's lips quivered as he was reprimanded, feeling a pang of injustice.
"What are you standing around for? Do I need to carry you in?"
Ye Tian immediately bent down and climbed into the car.
Once inside, he asked cautiously, "...Second Brother, where are you taking me?"
Ye Hai glanced at him coldly, his tone severe, "Where do you think? Running away from home for months, and today is Older Brother's engagement. You didn't even call. If I hadn't come to pick you up, I bet you would have forgotten all about it!"
"Ah... right, congratulations, Older Brother!"
Ye Hai stared at him, his eyes seeming to want to devour him.
Ye Tian trembled.
Second Brother was still the same Second Brother. So fierce, sob...
The banquet.
Song Xi waited for Ye Tian's reply for a long time, then began scrolling through Weibo.
Her follower count had been increasing rapidly lately, thanks in large part to a new fan account.
This fan account had posted many photos of Song Xi on set. Their photography style was distinctive and unique, leading some to speculate that they were the same person as the one who had photographed Jin Ying and gained widespread recognition for Song Xi.
However, this was unconfirmed, and people discussed it in jest, without much serious attention.
"Mr. Lou has arrived."
Suddenly, a stir arose from the front, and then everyone in the hall looked in unison.
Lou Yu Ming, in a light-colored suit, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, cut an elegant figure. His exquisitely handsome features were particularly striking in the crowd.
What shocked people even more was that a woman was on his left arm.
The woman wore an off-the-shoulder long dress that seemed to reflect light, her alluring collarbones subtly visible, exuding elegance and nobility.
Anna, with a confident and poised demeanor, noticed Song Xi in the crowd out of the corner of her eye. She smiled and leaned closer to Lou Yu Ming, gently adjusting his pocket square.
Lou Yu Ming's gaze turned cold. "Don't push your luck."
Anna's smile didn't falter. She said in a voice only they could hear, "Yu Ming, you promised Grandma today that you would take good care of me."
Onlookers, witnessing this visually pleasing scene, began to murmur.
"Who is the woman next to Mr. Lou? This is the first time I've seen him bring a female companion to an event."
"She seems to be the daughter of the Shao family."
"They truly are a match made in heaven. I heard they are engaged."
"Really?"
...
Song Xi could no longer hear the rest of their conversation. She clenched her fist in anger.
What did Lou Yu Ming mean? Was he deliberately trying to humiliate her by asking her to come? He already had a companion!
After she had taken care of him all night yesterday, what a thankless wretch!
"Anna, long time no see. Last time, I heard you mention going to..."
Lou Yu Ming stood aside expressionlessly, listening to the women's chatter, his brow furrowed with frost.
It was only because of Mrs. Shao's request that he was here.
He looked into the distance, searching for a familiar figure, his deep dark eyes finally settling on a spot.
Amidst the rustling silks and perfume, she was looking down, out of place with everyone else.
Her ink-black hair cascaded onto her chest. Her black, cut-out evening gown made her skin appear like snow, and the sapphire necklace around her neck was the perfect accent, making her look mysterious and captivating.
Lou Yu Ming's gaze deepened, and he took a sip of his champagne.
It seemed Assistant Yao's taste had improved.
"Miss, would I be so fortunate as to invite you to be my dance partner?"
A man approached her.
Lou Yu Ming's eyes narrowed, and a chill emanated from him.
"Yu Ming, Ye Sen's wife is my friend. Shall we go say hello?"
Anna turned back, only to see Lou Yu Ming staring intently ahead.
She followed his gaze and her expression faltered. Then, she said dismissively, "It seems Miss Song is quite popular."